THE Commanding Office of 40 Commando Royal Marines has clocked up a few thousand air miles in recent weeks.

Lieut Col Paul Maynard flew out to Oman as his troops took part in the UK's largest military exercise since 2001, dashed back to Taunton for Remembrance Day events and then returned to the Middle East on his latest assignment.

The Swift Sword operation in Oman, which styles itself 'a friend to all and enemy to none', aimed to reinforce a relationship that dates back 400 years and saw previous training partnerships in 1986 and 2001.

Lieut Col Maynard said: "The main effort was to reconnect with our Omani partners, to reinforce the historic links we have with the country and their armed forces.

"We were the main landing force as part of the amphibious task group, working alongside the Sultan's special forces coastal regiment, and into the desert.

"It went really well and should the requirement arise, we would be able to operate with them in the future."

He said the UK is keen to maintain its relationship with Oman as it is in a vital position and acts as an arbiter in the unstable Middle East between rival countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia.

It is also situated at a 'choke point' to a vital trade route that needs to be kept open and secure for the benefit of the British economy.

"The exercise allowed us to brush off the dust on our desert and hot area training skills and to make sure our capabilities are fit for that sort of environment in case we are called upon to assist with any trouble spots," added Lieut Col Maynard.

"For many of the Royal Marines it was their first deployment to the Middle East and I'm proud of how they conducted themselves."

After returning home to take part on commemoration events marking the centenary of the end of the First World War, he headed back to the Middle East with Alpha and Bravo companies of 40 Commando for joint training with the military in Bahrain and Qatar.

Part of that involves training Qatari security forces ahead of the World Cup there in 2022, with the possibility the Royal Marines could be invited back to assist with operations when the eyes of the world are on the event.